Vehicle Dynamics International
  • News
    • Braking
    • Chassis
    • Driveline & Transmission
    • Dynamics Software
    • Electronic Dynamic Control
    • Lightweighting
    • OEM News
    • Ride Comfort
    • Simulation
    • Steering
    • Tires and wheels
    • Vehicle Testing
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • December 2024
    • May 2023
    • December 2023
    • May 2023
    • November 2022
    • Spring 2022
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
  • VDI Awards
    • 2022 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2021 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2020 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2019 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2018 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2017 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to Magazine SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL NEWSLETTER MEDIA PACK
LinkedIn
Vehicle Dynamics International
  • News
      • Braking
      • Chassis
      • Driveline & Transmission
      • Dynamics Software
      • Electronic Dynamic Control
      • Lightweighting
      • OEM News
      • Ride Comfort
      • Simulation
      • Steering
      • Tires and wheels
      • Vehicle Testing
  • Features
  • Supplier innovations
  • Online Magazines
    1. December 2024
    2. May 2024
    3. December 2023
    4. May 2023
    5. November 2022
    6. Spring 2022
    7. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    December 10, 2024

    The December 2024 issue of Vehicle Dynamics International is out!

    Braking By Web Team
    Recent

    The May issue of Vehicle Dynamics International is out!

    May 29, 2025

    The December 2024 issue of Vehicle Dynamics International is out!

    December 10, 2024

    The May 2024 issue of Vehicle Dynamics International is out!

    May 20, 2024
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
  • VDI Awards
    • 2023 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2022 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2021 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2020 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2019 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2018 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
    • 2017 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards: the winners!
LinkedIn
Vehicle Dynamics International
Features

Is the UK ready for autonomous vehicles?

Opinion WritersBy Opinion WritersJune 2, 20204 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

The KPMG Autonomous Vehicle Readiness Index has provided a welcome stimulus to debate the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. However, the index arguably understates the importance of testing in enabling OEMs to bring AVs to the market.

According to the Index, the UK is ranked seventh in the world in terms of its overall level of preparedness for AV technology. That will be welcome news to the Department for Transport, which has consistently promised the UK will be a world leader in this field. The report highlights the favourable legislative and policy environment as key to the UK’s position in the rankings.

However, the UK scores relatively lower for its infrastructure. The report noted that the UK lags behind some of its competitors in its 4G coverage, quality of roads, and logistics infrastructure. Infrastructure improvements will reduce the risks for businesses looking to invest in this technology. That is especially true for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The recent addition of the testbed at Millbrook is therefore an important step forward. Opened in September 2019, the testbed boasts 70km of track and, equally importantly, it offers 5G connectivity. This is the most impressive of a series of testing facilities clustered around the area between London and Birmingham.

Despite this progress, the processes of validation and verification for AV technology will have to rely heavily on simulation and testing in virtual environments. A RAND report concluded that autonomous vehicles would have to drive “hundreds of millions of miles and, under some scenarios, hundreds of billions of miles to create enough data to clearly demonstrate their safety”.

Design engineers and manufacturers therefore need to embrace the best of testing technology. This is especially the case if we are talking about SAE level 3-5, which includes vehicles that are entirely driverless. Virtual design, testing in virtual environments and other forms of simulation are also vital for testing the so-called ‘edge cases’ – those unusual scenarios that are only encountered after thousands, or possibly millions of miles of driving or under extreme weather conditions.

A potential oversight in the KPMG index is the importance of the military sector. On the one hand, the omission is not surprising, given that information about this sector is less freely available. Those of us working in this sector are used to working with non-disclosure agreements.

On the other hand, it is known that many governments are already investing heavily in AV technology for their militaries, given the unparalleled benefits this could bring. The UK and the US have already collaborated to begin applying AV technology to convoy resupply, a breakthrough which could dramatically reduce combat fatalities.

Again, virtual design and verification will be vital if we are to make breakthroughs in this area. As for the commercial sector, safety is obviously important. Military vehicles, however, are also required to perform reliably in extreme terrains and weather conditions.

Engineers who want to satisfactorily test the edge cases here will need to make sure both the software that AV relies on, and the traditional components like suspension and steering, can still perform. Advanced testing facilities that can simulate extreme conditions will be essential. At Pailton Engineering, for example, we use specific environment test rigs that can replicate the environmental conditions that are experienced in application, subjecting components to salt and grit solutions via spray or submersion, while having the option of rotary movement and any varying temperature requests.

Are we ready for AV technology? There are positive signs. The UK needs to pay attention to some of the infrastructure gaps identified in the KPMG Readiness Index. We also need to ensure that all those involved in the development of this technology, from software designers to parts suppliers, make full use of virtual design and verification.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleIPG Automotive releases CarMaker V9.0
Next Article IMechE appoints new president
Opinion Writers

Related Posts

Features

McLaren’s strength in carbon fibre technology

March 20, 202510 Mins Read
Features

Recalling the Hillman Imp and its engineer, Tim Fry

March 17, 20255 Mins Read
Features

How artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing vehicle dynamics

March 3, 202511 Mins Read
Latest Posts

The May issue of Vehicle Dynamics International is out!

May 29, 2025

A next-generation passenger car K&C system in action

May 29, 2025

Awards for ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle innovation to be announced this week

May 19, 2025
Our Social Channels
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Email Newsletters
  • Meet The Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Electric & Hybrid Vehicle
  • Industrial Vehicle Technology
FREE NEWS EMAIL!

Get essential industry news from this website direct to your inbox every fortnight


© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.